Trachea, Bronchi, Bronchial Tree, and Alveoli

Trachea

cylindrical tube connecting larynx to primary bronchi

Tracheal mucosa

ciliated mucosa with goblet cells trapping microorganisms

Smoking effect on trachea

destroys cilia making coughing necessary to remove mucus

Tracheal cartilage rings

16–20 C-shaped rings allowing flexibility

Primary bronchi

right and left branches of trachea entering each lung

Right primary bronchus

wider shorter and more vertical making it likely for objects to lodge

Secondary bronchi

three in right lung and two in left lung

Tertiary bronchi

repeatedly branching smaller bronchi

Bronchial tree

branching system of bronchi with about 23 orders

Bronchioles

air passageways smaller than 1 mm

Terminal bronchioles

smallest bronchioles ending in alveolar ducts

Alveoli

air sacs where gas exchange occurs

Surfactant

chemical reducing water attraction allowing alveoli to inflate

Pulmonary capillaries

capillaries surrounding alveoli for gas exchange